“We could sure use the dogs and Flutters…”

Previously: “I wonder where the marshal of this fair town might be.”

“He is me—still,” Mac laughed, “By my calculations we were here last—a day ago.”

Before they could leave two men wearing marshal’s badges walked into the office, “Sorry we’re late Marshal, the train from Fort Leavenworth broke down in Iowa. Name’s McIntyre, Karl McIntyre, and this fella is my deputy, Lawrence Yatkowsky.”

Boomer looked at both with a rapidly dropping jaw, Mac leaned close and whispered, “My great-grandfather McIntyre, I think.”

Adventure Ten—Searching for Almonzo—Episode 5… “Marshal McIntyre, I’d like you to join us on our mission, Deputy Yatkowsky can cover the town.”

“And what mission would that be, Marshal—I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name…”

Deputy Marshals Yatters & McIntyre arrived

“It’s McIntyre, Marshal—and yes, we are related—quite distantly. We can chat about that later.”

“Aye, laddie, that we will. What is our mission?”

“We must track down and destroy the Slater gang, Marshal.”

“And who might you be?”

“I’m Chief Deputy US Marshal Boomer Boardman, sir.”

“Boardman? Are ya related to Silas Boardman over in William’s Station?”

“I am—but I’ve never met him,” Boomer replied, “Almost all Boardmans in the United States are related. My research indicates he’s related.”

“We need to get on the move to Forest City,” Mac ended the genealogy lesson, “If the Slaters haven’t come here, I believe that’s where we’ll find them.”

Soon, Mac, Boomer and Karl were on the road out of Moosehead City.

Mac, Boomer and Karl McIntyre on the road ©Jack Boardman

That road would take them close to Danger Bay—about five miles away.

MEANWHILE—At Williams Station… The Coopers convinced Silas to join them in the search for Almonzo Slater—after explaining why they were wanted, “Those fellas sound dangerous—better we go to them instead of waiting for them to arrive here.”

They decided to take the coach road rather than the shorter but more difficult trail to Moosehead City.

The Coopers & Silas decided to take the coach road

“Great-Grandson, huh?” Silas chuckled, “I wasn’t born yesterday—I’ve been hornswoggled a time or two—but not this time.”

“You might change your mind when you meet Boomer—there’s a bit of a resemblance between the two of you,” Jay suggested, “Yep—you dang sure could be related.”

“Some of my uncles moved west—he’s probably one of their children.”

AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME—In Forest City… Merle, Chris and Linda were instructed to stay in town and watch over the saloon, as the Slaters left town to catch-up with Almonzo, “We need you to keep this place in line—those fellas just can’t be trusted.”

“We need you to keep this place in line.”

“Yes boss,” Chris figured the best thing to do was agree, and hang around for an hour or so—before heading out themselves.

After they left Chris turned to Linda, “Wherever they’re going, we’d best follow.”

“Agreed,” Linda replied, “We could sure use the dogs and Flutters about now.”

To be continued…